SOLOMON LAW FIRM PLLC

Solomon Law focuses on helping people with disabilities, especially in the areas of SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY, WORKERS' COMPENSATION, PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY, CHILD CUSTODY, IMMIGRATION, and MOTOR VEHICLE LAW. Over 25 years of legal experience.

Firm Overview

Solomon Law Firm began with a desire to help people with disabilities regain control of their lives. Founding attorney Garrett TenHave-Chapman's first career was as a minister. He realized that many of the people he helped spiritually in that calling also had legal issues that needed to be addressed. So Garrett went to law school. He spent many years in law firms serving mostly corporate clients, but always hoped that one day he would be able to realize his original dream of helping individuals regain their dignity through the legal process.

That dream came true in 2013 with Solomon Law Firm's birth. Named after the wise king who issued fair and just decisions, Solomon Law helps its clients achieve fair and just results for their injuries and losses.

Solomon Law focuses on helping people with disabilities, especially in the areas of SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY and WORKERS' COMPENSATION. Since a disability often leads to financial stress, Solomon Law also offers help with PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY, both Chapters 7 and 13. Solomon Law also focuses on CHILD CUSTODY.

Solomon Law can help you in a variety of other areas as well, including criminal, appeals, wills, and more. Please allow us to resolve your legal situation.

We offer very competitive and affordable fee plans. Contact us today. We will work together to get you the dignity you deserve, and regain control of your life.

Main Office

Main Office
2430 Camelot Ct SE
Grand Rapids
MI
49546

Phone

(616) 635-2496

Fax

(616) 635-2674

Websites

Fees

Free Initial Consultation?

Yes

If you are an adult who cannot work full time due to your disability, or a child whose condition fulfills requirements for a disability, Solomon Law can help you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits.

Two kinds of disability programs exist, SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) and SSI (Supplemental Security Income). SSDI is available to people who have a work history and have acquired enough work credits within the Social Security System. SSDI typically pays a higher benefit rate than SSI. SSI is available to people who do not have enough work credits, but qualify on the basis of economic need.

Two basic methods exist for being awarded disability. Both SSDI and SSI use these same tests. The first is to meet one of the descriptions issued by Social Security for a "medical listing." This involves having a number of traits possibly associated with your condition. This method essentially is the only one available for children. The second method is to meet the definition of disability set forth in "grid" graphs developed by Social Security. These grids weigh various factors in your life, including your age, educational background, work history, and physical limitations. The vast majority of claimants who win their Social Security Disability case do so by the grid method.

Many people think that if they supply their medical records to Social Security, they should win their case. But other steps often need to be taken. Solomon Law knows these steps, and will do everything needed to give you your best chance to win.

We can help you at any stage of the Social Security Disability process, including an initial application for benefits, appealing to a Judge, or later appeals to other levels of review.

Solomon Law accepts Social Security Disability clients in Michigan and surrounding states.

Social Security Disability

If you are an adult who cannot work full time due to your disability, or a child whose condition fulfills requirements for a disability, Solomon Law can help you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits.

Two kinds of disability programs exist, SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) and SSI (Supplemental Security Income). SSDI is available to people who have a work history and have acquired enough work credits within the Social Security System. SSDI typically pays a higher benefit rate than SSI. SSI is available to people who do not have enough work credits, but qualify on the basis of economic need.

Two basic methods exist for being awarded disability. Both SSDI and SSI use these same tests. The first is to meet one of the descriptions issued by Social Security for a "medical listing." This involves having a number of traits possibly associated with your condition. This method essentially is the only one available for children. The second method is to meet the definition of disability set forth in "grid" graphs developed by Social Security. These grids weigh various factors in your life, including your age, educational background, work history, and physical limitations. The vast majority of claimants who win their Social Security Disability case do so by the grid method.

Many people think that if they supply their medical records to Social Security, they should win their case. But other steps often need to be taken. Solomon Law knows these steps, and will do everything needed to give you your best chance to win.

We can help you at any stage of the Social Security Disability process, including an initial application for benefits, appealing to a Judge, or later appeals to other levels of review.

Solomon Law accepts Social Security Disability clients in Michigan and surrounding states.

Bankruptcy

Solomon Law offers a low flat fee rate (plus costs), for which we will prepare all of your paperwork, help you fulfill other requirements, and attend a meeting on your behalf with a bankruptcy trustee.

In our economy today, many people have financial problems. Solomon Law counsels our clients about their financial options. For some people, bankruptcy may be the best alternative.

The most important decision when filing for personal bankruptcy is choosing whether to apply through Chapter 7 of the bankruptcy code, or Chapter 13.

Chapter 7

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is for those people who have low income or no disposable income. No payment plan to creditors is required. When your bankruptcy plan is approved, you essentially are done with the process. Some assets may be retained through "exemptions." You possibly can save your house and car. If the exemptions allow in your case, you can keep your wages if you have disclosed them fully, and keep your tax refund.

Chapter 13

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is for people who have a stable job or other source of regular income. A payment plan to creditors is required, through which you will pay back a portion of what you owe. Generally, Chapter 13 is better for your credit in the future than a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Chapter 13 may be the one type of bankruptcy available to you if you cannot pass some tests for qualifying for Chapter 7, such as having significant 401(k) assets. In Chapter 13, you can save your house, and possibly your car. "Exemptions" allow you to keep some assets, and you may even be able to keep some "non-exempt" assets. Child support income may be able to be deducted. You may pay back income taxes at no interest. Limits exist for how much debt you can discharge in Chapter 13, but the limits are fairly high.

Let us help you start fresh financially. Contact Solomon Law today.

Workers Compensation

Solomon Law will represent you in your Michigan or Federal Workers' Compensation case. Our decades of experience will give you the edge you need.

MICHIGAN

Workers' Compensation is a complicated area of law in Michigan. Did you know that you may have a compensable worker's compensation injury even if you are running an errand away from your work site when you get injured? Or that you may have a claim that you can pursue in Michigan even if the injury occurred out of state, or if you are not a Michigan resident? Or that your claim can lose much of its value unless you continue to look for work?

You also may not know that you do not necessarily need a specific injury in order to have a compensable claim. Injuries that occur over time, due to engaging in activities that aggravate a pre-existing condition, also may be compensable.

Loss of a body part, or loss of function of a body part, can guarantee you a certain benefit amount, even if you do not miss time from work.

Parking lot injuries can be compensable.

Injuries suffered while traveling for work can be compensable.

Certain conditions, such as heart disease and psychological conditions, may only be compensable if your work contributes to them in a significant way.

These examples represent just a small part of the twists and turns of Michigan Workers' Compensation law. Your employer and its insurance company hire people who know all of the legal strategies and options they can pursue. Shouldn't you? Solomon Law offers many years of worker's compensation experience to help you get everything you deserve.

Have your benefits been cut off by the employer or insurance company? Often, the other side stops benefits when it really has no strong basis to do so, hoping that you will go away and not bother them anymore. Or maybe they stop paying you, with the goal of settling their lifetime exposure for pennies on the dollar.

You need an advocate! Solomon Law offers negotiation strategies, as well as a willingness to go to trial and stand up to the people who are denying you benefits. We also want to help you if you need to appeal a Magistrate's decision.

FEDERAL

Federal employees have their workers' compensation rights determined in a system unique for them. Solomon Law helps injured federal workers get the benefits they deserve.

Child Custody

Your children are your life. If someone is trying to keep them from you, ask Solomon Law Firm to fight for your interests. We want to keep your family together!

Your children mean everything to you. And the opposing side will try anything to take them from you. Solomon Law will fight for your custody and parenting time rights. We offer a very competitive hourly rate and retainer fee.

We will work together with you as a team, to explore every aspect, every fact, every allegation, which is relevant to your case.

In deciding child custody issues, Michigan law directs the courts to examine the following factors in deciding what is in the best interests of the child:

(a) The love, affection, and other emotional ties existing between the parties involved and the child.
(b) The capacity and disposition of the parties involved to give the child love, affection, and guidance and to continue the education and raising of the child in his or her religion or creed, if any.
(c) The capacity and disposition of the parties involved to provide the child with food, clothing, medical care or other remedial care recognized and permitted under the laws of this state in place of medical care, and other material needs.
(d) The length of time the child has lived in a stable, satisfactory environment, and the desirability of maintaining continuity.
(e) The permanence, as a family unit, of the existing or proposed custodial home or homes.
(f) The moral fitness of the parties involved.
(g) The mental and physical health of the parties involved.
(h) The home, school, and community record of the child.
(i) The reasonable preference of the child, if the court considers the child to be of sufficient age to express preference.
(j) The willingness and ability of each of the parties to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing parent-child relationship between the child and the other parent or the child and the parents.
(k) Domestic violence, regardless of whether the violence was directed against or witnessed by the child.
(l) Any other factor considered by the court to be relevant to a particular child custody dispute.

In deciding parenting time issues, Michigan law directs the courts to examine the following factors in deciding what is in the best interests of the child:

(a) The existence of any special circumstances or needs of the child.
(b) Whether the child is a nursing child less than 6 months of age, or less than 1 year of age if the child receives substantial nutrition through nursing.
(c) The reasonable likelihood of abuse or neglect of the child during parenting time.
(d) The reasonable likelihood of abuse of a parent resulting from the exercise of parenting time.
(e) The inconvenience to, and burdensome impact or effect on, the child of traveling for purposes of parenting time.
(f) Whether a parent can reasonably be expected to exercise parenting time in accordance with the court order.
(g) Whether a parent has frequently failed to exercise reasonable parenting time.
(h) The threatened or actual detention of the child with the intent to retain or conceal the child from the other parent or from a third person who has legal custody. A custodial parent's temporary residence with the child in a domestic violence shelter shall not be construed as evidence of the custodial parent's intent to retain or conceal the child from the other parent.
(i) Any other relevant factors.

Solomon Law will help develop each of these factors, concerning the best interests of the child, so that they are most favorable to your case.

Solomon Law also helps with paternity and grandparent visitation issues.

We accept Child Custody and related cases throughout Michigan. Contact us today!

DUI and DWI

SOLOMON LAW helps you with all motor vehicle legal needs. We will represent you assertively for anything from serious impaired driving infractions to a simple speeding ticket.

Michigan drunk driving laws prohibit operating a vehicle while visibly impaired (OWVI); while intoxicated by liquor or drugs (OWI); with an unlawful blood alcohol level (UBAL); while "super drunk" with a .17 percent or higher blood alcohol content (High BAC); or, with the presence of controlled substances (OWPCS) (controlled substances include cocaine and marijuana). Penalties for drunk driving may include fines, imprisonment, community service, vehicle immobilization, vehicle forfeiture, and licensing sanctions. Multiple offenders face increased penalties up to and including prison time.

A person arrested for suspected drunk or impaired driving must submit to a chemical test of the arresting officer's choosing or face the possibility of a one- or two-year suspension of driving privileges.

Any vehicle a defendant is driving when he or she is arrested for drunk driving has the potential of being immobilized on conviction. For a first offense, the immobilization up to 180 days is discretionary with the court. For a second offense, immobilization between 90 and 180 days is mandatory. Immobilization is authorized in any manner that locks the ignition, wheels, or steering of a vehicle. A court may order the defendant to pay the cost of immobilizing and storing the vehicle.

Other major traffic offenses for which we can represent you include reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, leaving the scene of an accident, and fleeing and eluding the police. Penalties for these offenses may include fines, jail time, and license sanctions.

For civil infractions, such as speeding tickets, jury trials are not available, and jail sentences are not imposed. Violators of the ban on sending text messages while driving, must pay costs and a civil fine of $100 for the first offense and $200 for a second or subsequent offense.

Driver's license penalties are handled exclusively by the Michigan Secretary of State. The department may suspend a driver's license for, among other reasons, an undesirable driving record, failure to pay child support, an unsatisfied judgment in an automobile negligence suit, and certain crimes related to the use of a motor vehicle. You may have to pay a separate reinstatement fee to the Secretary of State before regaining your driver's license. In certain circumstances, we may appeal your license suspensions and denials to the Secretary of State's Administrative Hearing Section, or to circuit court.

Our fees for helping you with motor vehicle related cases are very competitive. Contact SOLOMON LAW any time, day or night, to seek our representation in these matters.

Immigration Law

SOLOMON LAW creates opportunities for loved ones to stay together, and legally earn a living in this country. We prepare and submit the appropriate application to one or more of the U.S. agencies responsible for carrying out the immigration laws.

The process of getting approved for legal presence in the U.S. involves much paperwork, working with government officials, enduring delays, and overcoming denials. SOLOMON LAW helps and stands by you through all of the steps, including organizing your case, obtaining and preparing your immigration application forms, submitting the forms to the government, dealing with delays, and attending interviews and court hearings.

For our clients who want to make their permanent home in the United States, we apply for what is called permanent residence, and a green card. Green card holders can live and work in the United States and travel within and outside the country, with only a few restrictions.

Family members of U.S. citizens make up the largest number of those who receive green cards issued each year. Others are issued to investors and workers who have been petitioned by U.S. employers, or have special skills. Still other categories have a humanitarian basis, such as refugee or asylum status (which can lead to a green card), for people who are fleeing persecution.

People who want to come to the United States for a limited time need a non-immigrant visa. This lets them participate in specified activities (such as studying, visiting, or working) until their visa runs out. Students and business people make up the largest groups of non-immigrant visa holders. Non-immigrant visas are also issued for tourists, exchange visitors, and workers with some kind of specialty that is lacking in the U.S. workforce.

Most people must obtain a visa at a U.S. consulate before departing for the United States. If you already are in the United States legally, you may be able to apply to adjust your status to permanent resident, or change your status to another type of visa. If you are in the U.S. illegally, SOLOMON LAW still can pursue a number of options for you.

No matter what eligibility category you fall into whether you have married a U.S. citizen, received a job offer, or been accepted to a school the United States has the right to say no. The immigration laws contain a list of things, such as crimes and certain diseases, which make someone inadmissible.

Some of the temporary non-immigrant visas we can help you obtain include:

B-1. Business visitors
B-2. Visitors for pleasure or medical treatment
F-1. Academic or language students
H-1B. Persons working in specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree or its equivalent in on-the-job experience, and distinguished fashion models.
K-1. Fiances or fiancees of U.S. citizens coming to the U.S. for the purpose of getting married.
O-1. Persons of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.

How did your firm decide on the primary area of practice(s)?

Solomon Law wants to help people who have lost control of some aspect of their lives, often through no fault of their own. We want to help the underdog. We started by focusing on Social Security Disability and Workers' Compensation clients. When we saw how many of our clients were in financial turmoil, we added bankruptcy. When our clients kept telling us about how they, a relative, or friend, needed help protecting and keeping their children, we added child custody, parenting time, and related issues. We always are looking for ways we can help people who need help the most.

What experience or education distinguishes your lawyers from others

Founding attorney Garrett TenHave-Chapman has over 25 years of experience working with people who are injured and disabled. He has represented them at the agency level, district and circuit court levels, and in the appeals courts. He has worked in many areas of law. He clerked for the Honorable George Corsiglia in the Allegan County 48th Circuit Court of Michigan. Garrett graduated cum laude from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, in the top 8% of his class. He began a career in law after a number of years as a minister.

What distinguishes your law firm from others?

Solomon Law offers wise counsel. We combine knowledge and caring. Someone will answer your call 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. We have inside knowledge of judges and opposing attorneys. We will craft your case based on all factors unique to you and your situation. We will never give up.

Garrett TenHave-Chapman

Garrett J. TenHave-Chapman is the founding attorney for Solomon Law Firm. He is a litigator with over twenty-five years of experience. Garrett focuses on Social Security Disability, Workers' Compensation, Personal Bankruptcy, and Child Custody. He also is experienced in appellate law, Veterans benefits, landlord-tenant, driver's license restoration, driving violations, criminal law, insurance defense, entertainment law, environmental due diligence, and general litigation.

Garrett has advocated for both plaintiffs and defendants. Although he now concentrates his practice on helping clients with disabilities, personal bankruptcy, and child custody issues, he knows how to weigh both sides of an issue. He prosecutes cases for plaintiffs but also has defended businesses. He is able to help his clients on either side of an issue understand their opponent, and therefore be prepared for what may happen next in a case.

Garrett holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Hope College, a Master of Divinity from Chicago Theological Seminary, and a law degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

Garrett is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, its Social Security and Worker's Compensation sections, the Grand Rapids Bar Association, and both the Western and Eastern Michigan Districts of the United States District Court. He also is an accredited attorney with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Garrett is a sustaining member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR) and a member of the Michigan Association for Justice.

Garrett enjoys the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, softball, movies, singing, and running. He is a member of both the First Congregational Church of Rockford and Tachanuwnah International Ministries. He and his family reside in Rockford.

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